2011 September | I Should Be Folding Laundry

Archive for September 2011

This pregnancy

September 30th, 2011

I have thoroughly enjoyed this pregnancy. Once we had Eli we knew we’d have a fourth child, I can remember trying to come up with the perfect time to become pregnant and then in the same thought process I’d begin fearing we’d lose the baby. That our hopes of having our children close together would not come true.

We had an early ultrasound, that was the protocol for our pregnancies since losing the twins, and she surprised us with a beautiful heartbeat.

This has been my healthiest pregnancy so far. I’m on the lowest amount of blood pressure meds that I’ve ever been on, even when not pregnant, I have felt great, my swelling has been minimal, sure there are aches and pains but that’s part of pregnancy.

This pregnancy just always felt good to me. And then I damaged my pelvic floor and that did not feel good and then I could no longer pick Eli up, all I could do was sit or lie and do nothing.

So, we had to get creative with how we bonded.

I would spend many times a week attending different appointments. Mostly physical therapy, which in the end, I know, played a huge role in how good I have felt.

Beginning at 29 weeks, I started weekly NSTs. Every week, I’d head to labor and delivery and listen to babies being born, as I sat in silence, also listening to the rhythm of my sweet baby girl’s heart. Never wanting to rush through the pregnancy but obviously hardly able to wait until I saw her sweet face.

This pregnancy, despite my injury has just been really good. I can’t begin to stress how grateful I am for the health and safety of it all. Not that long ago I feared never being able to carry another child to term again. I thought I’d never hold that sweet, precious goodness that we had longed for … and here we are. Two babies in two years. (we are so blessed.)

I’m sad to see this pregnancy end. I’ve loved it and never wished it away. But rather than being sad that it’s over, I’ll just remain grateful that my last pregnancy was so very amazing.

And this week? I was given the all clear to hold Eli again. Which made my final week of pregnancy extra sweet with extra snuggles.

I’m ready for the next chapter to begin. Ready to be the mom to four amazing, beautiful children. I’m ready to be up in the middle of the night, ready for the hundreds of diapers that will need to be changed every month, I’m ready for it all.

And I’ll always, always be grateful for this amazing pregnancy that is about to close it’s door.

The next time you hear from me. The new chapter will have begun.

Thank you for always praying with me and cheering for me.

You Capture | Green

September 29th, 2011

Hi friends.

So, I chose green because for so long, once winter comes, we won’t be seeing too much green and well, that’s just not very nice.

Here’s a sneak peek of the bumper pads in baby girl’s nursery. I found the fabric and fell in love and Erin’s Mom made the bumper pads for me. They are so sweet and perfect and OMG, I’m thinking my grandchildren will have to use them. (I’ll be showing the rest of her nursery next week, once her name is announced!)

nursery-bedding

Everyday for the past few months, my dear sweet husband has been rubbing my feet before bed. And when he doesn’t, I do it but he doesn’t let that happen too often. I love to use the aromatherapy line at Bath and Body Works, Sleep is my preferred scent, this one is my second favorite.

eucalyptus

The weather around here has been gloooooomy. I had gone grocery shopping on Sunday morning and found myself noticing that FALL WAS HERE. (how rude.) I take country roads to and from the store, which makes me love where I live. I captured this and love the way the green accents the gold. I added a perfect PS texture to the image. Almost makes me want to put this on a canvas and hang in my home.

almost, I say.

fall-landscape

Now, it’s your turn to share!

PLEASE READ THIS GUIDELINES, especially, yes, especially if you have never linked up!
1. Anyone can join in on the challenge at anytime.
2. Please make sure the photos you use were taken for the challenge, meaning do not search your archives for an appropriate photo. The goal of You Capture is to get you out taking photos each week!
3. Use YOUR photos.
4. When linking up, only link to your You Capture blog post, not your main blog URL. (incorrect links will be deleted.)
5. You MUST link back to You Capture in your post.
6. I encourage you to visit other participants and leave comments. This is a great way to meet new friends!
{more You Capture info can be found here.}

Fall. Family. Fresh.

Happy Capturing!

(Just a heads up, I’ve decided to take a break from You Capture since, you know, WE ARE HAVING A BABY! I gave you three topics for you to choose from, or to do all of them and then you’ll report back with your images on October 20th!)

I wish I could sleep with him

September 27th, 2011

I can’t remember, at some point yesterday but actually it was 15 months ago, Brian left to pick the kids up from Bible School. I was left alone with Eli. It was a perfect summer night, the sun starting to set. It was June.

I love June.

I laid on the bed with him. The house silent. I unsnapped my bra to nurse, his head in the crook of my arm. He knew exactly what to do, opened his mouth and latched perfectly. The latch we worked for two months to perfect.

So, completely worth it.

It wasn’t just the latch that was perfect, it was that moment, the silence, the temperature, this baby in my arms, the knowledge that I’m the lucky one to hold him to have him as mine. His eyes were open. He would switch between looking deeply into my eyes and the ceiling fan. He always loved the ceiling fan.

Finally, he drifted to sleep, as I watched. Honored to have been there to watch this simple moment in his life.

Moments ago, we laid him down for his nap, I watched him in the video monitor, he lays on his belly, his bootie in the air. He turns to his side, he lays on his back, lets his legs stretch outside the crib. His eyes open, I watch him blink, grateful for this technology, for this moment that I otherwise would not be able to witness.

He settles on his side, his hand rubs the sheet. In that moment, I want to swoop him up and take him into my bed, lay him in the crook of my arm and watch him drift. But being a toddler, he’d stand on the bed and run and fall and laugh and well, not go to sleep.

So, I’m happy and content with this moment that I’m witnessing. Although, not in my arms but in my life. Watching him sleep.

Peaceful.

I can remember this moment in the hospital, trying to rest my body but unable to sleep as I watched him sleep. It’s funny how, as a Mama, you don’t need the TV or entertainment or people, you are perfectly content watching another human just lie there, with their eyes closed, praying for sweet dreams. I love being a Mama.

This time next week, I’ll be doing the same thing, with another baby, whom I’ve just met but have loved for so long. Joyfully. Peacefully. Sleepily.

Watching.

Friday Morning Coffee

September 23rd, 2011

Good morning, my friends.

I actually just finished eating a bowl of grapes and bananas. It was SO GOOD. I have a love affair with red grapes, they can’t be the least bit soft, I want them crunchy and not too sweet. Right now, they are perfect, I love them.

I’m 37 weeks pregnant. The baby will be born during my 38th week.

My body is tired. I’m crampy and pretty much grouchy 55% of the time.

I’m still attending physical therapy.

I still can’t pick Eli up.

Next week Eli turns 18 months old.

helper

He’s giant and fun and really feisty and a super good helper. He’s extra cute and sometimes just likes to snuggle with Mama but mostly likes to play cars and do laundry.

In a few minutes, I’m leaving for a pedicure and a necessary *ahem* waxing on a region that I haven’t seen in a very, very, very long time.

The baby’s room is so close to being finished that some people would consider it finished but I do not.

I’m still scared out of my mind that something bad is going to happen to this pregnancy.

I’m not scared to have four kids.

I am scared to see how Eli reacts to this new baby taking up his attention.

But right now? I’m mostly scared about the upcoming waxing.

Happy Friday, friends.

You Capture | Industrial

September 22nd, 2011

Hi friends.

I hope you all had luck capturing industrial. Right about now, I’m wishing for more time to complete these challenges, something tells me that’s not going to be possible!

Anyway, it just so happened that I had a session at a super cool location and found this, I find it to be both rustic and industrial. I love it.

industrial

And that’s it from me! Now it’s your turn to share!

Green